It's that time of year again and what a year it has been, and now it's time to start publishing the Best Of 2017s from our key people and on 31st December we'll be announcing the end result, one winner from each category. Here's Steve's Best Of 2017s...

BEST BAND: BLACK SABBATH

2017 will always be remembered as one of the most significant years in the rich and diverse history of Heavy Metal's founding fathers. The final gig at Birmingham, 'The Ten Year War' box set, 'The End' DVD and a whole host of appearances and public events with Tony Iommi kept Sabbath permanently in the public eye and reaffirmed their undisputed 'legendary' status.

2. IRON MAIDEN

Maiden continue to get ya, no matter how far, and 'The Book Of Souls: The Live Chapter' goes down as one of the great live albums, right up there with 'Live After Death'. The last legs of the world tour were nothing less than spectacular and Bruce's autobiography and the announcement of more dates in summer 2018 rounded off another triumphant year with many more still to come.

3. ARCH ENEMY

Arch Enemy excelled themselves with 'Will To Power', their second album with Alissa White-Gluz and a spellbinding performance at Bloodstock. Here's a band completely on top of their game and challenging the more established names for top billing.

BEST GIG: BAT OUT OF HELL: THE MUSICAL

It was a very hot summer's night and as London baked in previously unchartered temperatures, 'Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical' laid down a marker for all musicals to come. It tops the very best that Broadway and the West End have to offer and it's easily the best stage show, performance and soundtrack you will experience from a musical. An absolute triumph.

2. SAXON, LAST IN LINE, Y&T, GRAHAM BONNET, RAMBLIN' MAN FAIR

Ramblin' Man Friday was a treat of Metal epicness with four superb bands playing out of their skins, with special mention to man down Y&T who impressively powered through a blistering set as a three-and-a-bit piece. Graham Bonnet defied his years and Vinnie Appice broke a cymbal by hitting it too hard. But it didn't stop him and Biff and Saxon rounded off a superb Metal night in their usual unimitable style.

3. ACCEPT, WACKEN

Accept had the night of their lives at Wacken, playing a special three part set that eclipsed anything they had previously achieved. The regular five-piece band played a set, including the world premieres of songs from the new album, 'The Rise Of Chaos', released the following day, before maestro Wolf Hoffmann showcased 'Headbangers Symphony' tracks. The band were then joined by a multi-piece symphony orchestra to the delight of the Wacken masses.

BEST ALBUM: ARCH ENEMY - 'WILL TO POWER'

The announcement of the imminent release of 'Will To Power' came as a surprise and so did the quality of the material on offer. Easily Arch Enemy's best ever album, 'Will To Power' sets the band on a path right to the very top.

2. ICED EARTH: 'INCORRUPTIBLE'

Iced Earth are in their element now with what looks like their most stable line-up ever and an album that sits at the pinnacle of their highly impressive discography.

3. ENSIFERUM: 'TWO PATHS'

Ensiferum had a seemingly impossible task on their hands, following 2015s 'One Man Army', but they managed it with some style with a varied and uber-interesting album that really hit home hard.

BEST FESTIVAL: WACKEN

Everything about Wacken 2017 was glorious and in fact, it wasn't just the best festival of 2017, it was the best festival of all time. An amazing line-up and a throughly amazing time. See you there again the first weekend of August.

BEST VIDEO: ME AND THAT MAN - 'MAGDALENE'

2. ELUVEITIE - 'REBIRTH'

3. CELLAR DARLING - 'SIX DAYS'

BEST NEW BAND: CELLAR DARLING

Less than a year after Cellar Darling formed, they had signed with Nuclear Blast, released their debut album, toured with Delain and Lacuna Coil and played Summer Breeze and really stamped their mark on the burgeoning Euro Metal scene. This is the sound, indeed.

2. BEAST IN BLACK

Deposed Battle Beast founder Anton Kabanen returned with a real monster. Or should that be a real beast... Debut album 'Berserker' screamed with tremendous tunes and songs that bellowed a warning of things to come.

3. VUUR

Anneke Van Giersbergen has created a new home for herself with her new Heavy Metal band and while it takes a couple of listens to understand these songs, this is a band who could well emphatically conquer in the coming months.

LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2018

The new year gets off to a great start with new albums from Magnum and Anvil released on 19th January and I'm looking forward to new releases from Judas Priest, Orphaned Land, Heidevolk and maybe Eluveitie, a full on Metal album this time. As pretty much all of my favourite bands brought out new albums this year, I'm expecting to see them all live in 2018 so potential dates with Ensiferum and Iced Earth, a headline gig from Cellar Darling and already confirmed Arch Enemy, Iron Maiden and Beast In Black gigs beckon, as well as what is bound to be another spectacular Wacken and Bloodstock.